Bloody Easter in Kaduna as terrorists storm churches, kill seven, kidnap worshippers

Tragedy struck Ariko community in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Sunday when gunmen suspected to be terrorists attacked two churches during Easter celebrations, killing at least seven people and abducting several others.

The attack occurred in the early hours of the day while residents had gathered for worship, sending panic across the community as gunshots rang out and worshippers fled for safety.

The councillor representing Awon Ward, where Ariko District is located, Mark Bawa, confirmed the incident in a telephone interview on Sunday, stating that the attackers targeted First ECWA Church and St. Augustine Catholic Church in the community.

Bawa said he was on his way to the affected area to verify the number of casualties, explaining that the exact death toll was still unclear as information coming from the community remained inconsistent.

“I am currently on my way to the community to confirm the exact number of casualties. Some people say seven persons were killed while others claim eight. I will provide an update once the situation becomes clearer,” he said.

He noted that poor telecommunications coverage in the area may have delayed the flow of information and hindered quick response efforts.

According to the councillor, the gunmen arrived in large numbers, surrounded the community and opened fire on worshippers before abducting several residents.

“The attackers came in large numbers and began shooting indiscriminately at people in the churches. Several persons were killed while many others were taken away into the bush,” he said.

Residents said the attackers operated for a considerable period without resistance, further highlighting the security vulnerabilities facing rural communities in the area.

The latest incident comes about two months after gunmen abducted scores of worshippers during a church gathering in Kurmin Wali community, also in Kachia Local Government Area, in February 2026.

That attack triggered widespread outrage and renewed calls from residents and community leaders for stronger security presence in Southern Kaduna.

Efforts to get official confirmation from the police were ongoing at the time of filing this report. However, the Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, said he would provide further details later.

Security analysts and community leaders say the repeated attacks on rural communities, especially during religious gatherings and festive periods, underscore the persistent security challenges in parts of Kaduna State.